Cable stranding machine



June 11, 1935. A. R. PETTERSON CABLE STRANDING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 12, 1934 b law? M A. R. PETTERSON CABLE STRANDING MACHINE Flled May 12 1934 June 11; 1935.

June 11, 1935. A. R. PETTERS ON 2,004,634

CABLE STRANDING MACHINE Filed May 12, 1934 4: Sheets-Sheet 3 flrmwzzrmom June 11, 1935. A, PETTERSO'N 2,004,634

' CABLE STRANDING MACHINE A Filed May 12, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented June 11 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFIcE CABLE STRANDING MACHINE Arthur R. Petterson, Marblehead, Mass, assignor to Thomson-Judd Wire Machinery Company, Lynn, Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts Application'May 12, 1934, Serial No. 725,326

14 Claims.

tion about its own axis during the rotation of the revolving stranding structure in which the spools are assembled so as to avoid the twisting of the individual strands.

Theinvention has among other objects the provision of a quick and simple method of loading a planetary strander with spools of wire in the process of making stranded wire rope or cable.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a strong, rigid and enduring spool support capable of functioning in a greatly improved manner.

In the illustrative embodiment of the invention, these and other objects, hereinafter more fully referred to, are secured by providing an open sided cradle which with its rotary spool support is self-contained, avoiding the handling and replacement of removable parts in loading the spool and which support embodies a rigid, over-hung spindle carrying a rotary cage or supporting spider, unobstructed access to which may be had at one side of the machine. The spool may be slid axially and laterally from'the side of the machine over this support and, by simple clamping mechanism, may be clamped securely in position thereon without strain or stress on the bearings between such cage and spindle, the strand tensioning mechanism being also self-contained and carried by the supporting cage.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings showing one specific embodiment thereof, while its scope will be more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows the main portion of a typical strander unit equipped with open side cradles embodying one form of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional elevation of the strander on the line 22 in Fig. 1, showing the relative position of the cradles and illustrating also a means of placing the wire loaded spools on the spindles of the open side cradles;

Fig. 3 is a plan view, on a somewhat larger scale. of a cradle having the construction of those emplnv rl in the strander illustrated in Figs. 1

stalled on the cradle;

and 2am showing its end trunnions mounted in the cradle wheel, a wire spool being shown in- Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the cradle illustrated in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional elevation, on a still larger scale, taken through the axis of the spindle, showing the cradle illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 and having an empty wire spool installed;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation in partial section on the line 6-6 in Fig. 5, showing the cradle, spindle, cage and clamping devices but with the cage retaining collar and the wire spool removed; and

Fig. '7 is an end elevation of the strand tensioning mechanism illustrated in section in Fig. 5.

Referring to the drawings and first more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, there is shown for purposes of illustration the main part of a typical planetary stranding machine to which the cradle and spool supporting features of my invention have useful application. This comprises three spaced cradle wheels H, l3 and 15 mounted on and rotated by the hollow shaft [1, providing 'herein two bays or cradle supporting sections [9 and 2|, the former between the cradle wheels H and I3 and the latter between the cradle wheels I 3 and IS, The shaft is made hollow so that, if desired, a wire or cable may be drawn through it and awinding of wires superimposed on it.

In each section or bay there is supported'between the cradle wheelsv and on trunnions 23 mounted in the wheelsa spaced group of similar spool-supporting cradles 25. In the machine illustrated each group comprises six cradles, but any number may be employed to suit the requirements and the machine may comprise a single section or bay or any number of sections as desired, the members in one section .being arranged in staggered relation to those in the other section. Each cradlecarriesa reel, spool or bobbin on which is wound a coil of wire, In Fig. 1 the intermediate cradle in the section l9 is shown with the spool loaded in place, while the cradle immediately below it shows the spindle and spool supporting structure with the spool removed. The remaining cradles, for simplicity, are shown merely in outline. The wire from each spool passes through an axial aperture in the cradle trunnion 23 and through the cradle rings, after which the wires are brought into converging relation, passing through guiding and twisting devices, through a closing die and to winding and reeling mechanisms, all of which are well known in the art and are unnecessary for the description of the present invention here to illustrate or describe.

Any suitable mechanism may be employed for preventing the spool supporting cradles from rotating about their own axes while they are revolving with the cradle wheels about the main shaft of the strander, or, in other words, for preserving what is commonly known as a planetary position. Herein for illustration there is shown a common mechanism for that purpose comprising the annular crank ring 21 mounted eccentrically with relation to the main shaft at the side of the cradle ring II and held for rotation in its off-set position by a pair of rollers, one of which is shown at 29, such rollers engaging the internal surface of the ring and mounted on a fixed part of the frame member 3 I. To this ring a trunnion of each cradle has connection through a short crank arm 33. The cradles carried by the section 2| between the cradle rings l3 and I5 have their trunnions prolonged through means of extension shafts 35-extending between the eradles of the adjoining section l9 and passing through the cradle ring II to provide for such crank connection. The cradles carried by the section [9 are provided with hollow. extension shafts 31 through which their respective wires pass, such shafts extending betwen the cradles in the adjoining section 2l and passing through the cradle ring l5.

Referring now to the construction of the cradle itself and the provisions for supporting and loading the spool thereon and for clamping the spool in place and tensioning the wire during operation of the strander, reference is made more particularly to Figs. 3 to 7, inclusive. Each cradle comprises a main frame preferably formed from a casting of open box-like formation. This frame has opposite end portions 39 of a somewhat rectangular cross-sectional shape adapted to be bolted or otherwise secured to a similarly shaped head ll presented by the inner end of the trunnion 23. Each end portion has an overlapping flange or lug 43 which rests on the top of the head 4| to assist in holding and positioning the cradle when installed. This construction permits any individual cradle to be readilyremoved or replaced without separating or disturbing the cradle wheels or dismantling the unit as a whole.

The end trunnion connected portions are joined by a vertical side wall 45 carrying the hub 41 by which the wire spool is supported and carried in overhung relation and are also connected by a bottom wall or member 49 underlying the spool supporting spindle and of a downwardly curved cross-sectional shape to clear the overhung spool. This frame presents a substantially L-shaped cross-section, as indicated in Fig. 5, this formation providing a stiff, strong and rigid support which may be further stiffened by the ribs on the side wall extending from the hub and indicated in Figs. 3.and 5, but leaving the side of the frame opposite the vertical side wall 45 and hub 41 open and accessible for the application of the spool to its overhung support. I V

For the support of the spool there is provided (Figs. 5 and 6) a large diameter spindle 5| one end of which is fixedly "and non-rotatably secured, as by welding, in the hub 41, such spindle projecting from the side wall 45 and overhanging the bottom wall 49.

To rotatably support and hold the spool on the spindle there is provided an intermediate spool supporting structure to which 'the'spool is directly applied and by which it is carried, Such structure being in the form of a cage or spider comprising-a sleeve member 53 mounted to turn on suitable bearings about the spindle 5|. Such bearings may be of the ball or roller anti-friction type, but herein the sleeve turns on the spindle through the interposition of the sleeve bushings 55 and 51. This sleeve is permanently retained in position on the spindle-between the spindle enlargement 59 against which the inner bushing 51 bears and a collar 6| pinned or otherwise secured to the overhanging end of the spindle and abutting against the outer bushing 55.

At the inner or supported end, the sleeve is provided with a drum-like enlargement 63 of an outside diameter suitable to fit freely within the inner barrel or sleeve 65 of the spool, the drum terminating in an outwardly extending flange 61 against which the side wall 69 of the spool abuts when it is installed.

At its opposite or overhanging end, the sleeve 53 is provided with an annular ring 1 I, the outer edge of which is bevelled, the ring being of such diameter that the spool barrel 65 flts loosely over the same. The ring is joined to the sleeve by three equally spaced radial lugs 13, and the sleeve 53 has three radial ribs l5'one of which extends from the back of each lug 13 to the drum enlargement 63.

In the stranding of wire, to obviate, among other things, difiiculties in annealing, it is 'desirable to provide a spool barrel of such size as will avoid the winding thereon. of coils of too small a diameter. Such condition ordinarily calls for a spool barrel of a'diameter relatively large as compared with that which it is practicable to employ for the spindle. The use of the intermediate rotatable cage or spider with its enlarged cylindrical walls, comprising the drum-like enlargement 63 and the annular ring. 1| over which the cylindrical spool barrel flts and on whch it may be secured against the abutting flange 61,

not only provides for a spool barrel of any desired While various other means for holding the wire spool on its rotating support may be employed, herein there is shown for that purpose a simple mechanism which is self-contained on the cradle and on the rotatable sleeve itself. Such mechanism herein comprises a sliding clamping strap or plate 11 provided on the outer flattened face of each lug 13, being retained in position thereon by the stud 19 threaded into the lug and held thereon by the pin 8|. The stud extends outwardly through a radially elongated aperture or slot in the strap so that the latter may be slid outwardly into the position indicated in Figs. 5 and 6, where it overlies the outer side wall 83 of the spool, or may be retracted inwardly leaving the spool free to be withdrawn from the rotatable cage. The strap 11 is held on the stud I9 by the nut 85, so that when the spool is installed and the strap slid outwardly to overlie the spool, the nut may be when the nut is loosened, and the strap slid inwardly for removal or installation of the spool.

For the purpose of keeping the bearings well oiled an annular recess 89 is provided between the spindle 15 and the sleeve 53 adapted to store a supply of lubricant which may be injected through the lubricator 9| and the oiling passages indicated in Fig. 5.

Referring now. to the tensioning mechanism which is required to tension the wire during the stranding operation, which tension is secured by placing a controlled retardation on the rotation of the spool, this also is self-contained within the cage. For this purpose (Figs. .5 and 7) the enlarged drum 63 on the sleeve 53 has an annular recess 93 in the side of the cage facing the vertical side wall 45 of the cradle. In this recess there is positioned an expanding friction or braking device comprising two segmental brake shoes 95 and 91 covered with friction material 99, the overlapping ends of which shoes are pivotally held near the bottom of the recess upon the stud IOI fixed in the cradle. The opposite ends of such segments are arranged in opposing relation, being normally drawn toward each other by the spring I03 but are held separated by the tapered end I of the adjusting screw III! which has threaded engagement with the side wall of the cradle, the opposing ends of the brake segments being shaped to conform to the tapered head I05. The segments are of L-shaped cross section and their outer peripheral frictional facings bear against the inner wall of the recess 93. By turning the screw I 01 in one direction, the

tapered head acts to force the segmental brake members outwardly and increase the retarding effect, and by turningit in the opposite direction such retarding effect is diminished. This provides a delicately adjustable tensioning device adapted to place a uniform tension on the cage and its supported spool. This device is selfcontained within the cage independent of and forming no part of the removable spool. It is completely enclosed in awell protected position where it cannot'interfere with the handling of the spool but is readily accessible for adjustment.

Particular attention is directed to the fact that there are no loose or separate pieces to be handled or attached when loading or unloading the cradles. The provision of a cage, spider or other rotatable spool holding structure mounted for rotation on a rigid, overhanging spindle carrying its own clamping mechanism and its own tensioning devices, avoids the removal or replacement of such loose parts which have heretofore been employed in loading the cradle, and in the handling of which such parts areapt to be ,bent', broken, damaged or misplaced.

The provision of such cage or spider also provides for a simpler design of spool in that it is not necessary to builda false center for the spool to accommodate a relatively small spindle, as has been a common practiceheretofore.

In loading the spool it is installed by slidingv 85. This results in clamping the spool firmly.

in position on the cage. The clamping devices maybe set up as tightly as desired without "stress or strain on the bearings, through which a smooth rotary movement of the spool should' be permitted to take place.

when installed the wire strand from each spool is strung through the apertured trunnion, being guided thereto (as indicated in Figs. 3 and 4) when the spool unwinds during the stranding operation between vertical guiding pins I09 and under the grooved guiding roller Ill, such guiding devices being carried by an overhanging supporting frame 3 (Fig. 4) fastened to the top of the end support 39 on the cradle.

The spools when wound and filled with wire, particularly in the case of the stranding of large cables, present each an excessively heavy weight which usually precludes lifting or handling them without the aid' of hoisting mechanism. This presents a problem with respect to their installation in the cradle, whichrequires, in the case of the two sided cradles common in the prior art, permanently installed overhead crane or hoisting devices through which the spools are handled from overhead, each spool being dropped between the two sides of the cradle and latched or otherwise fastened in place. This operation is attended withsome difliculty, particularly in I the case of a multiple section machine where the trunnion extensions from one section tend to interfere with the loading of the cradles of the adjoining section. 1

In the described form of strander, the cradles being held against rotation about their own axes with the spool spindles always in parallel rela-" tionship, each cradle in the course of the rotation of the strander reaches a position where its spool supporting spindle extends radially outward, pre-' senting the open side of the cradle in a relation' unobstructed access to the overhanging end of.

the spool supporting cage through the open side of the cradle so that the spool may be readily applied thereto at a convenient height and from the side of the machine.

This renders practicable the utilization of a travelingloading device, such as is indicated in Fig. 2. on which the spool may be brought to the side of the machine in alignment with the overhanging end of the spool supporting cage and from which it may be transferred laterally to the cage. v

While various other types of loadingmechanisms may be employed, I have shown byway of illustration in Fig. 2 a loading device consisting of a wheeled truck H5 adapted to carry on its platform a supply of filled spools and mounted to run on rails extending lengthwise and at one side of the machine. The truck H5 is provided with an upright frame I" on which an elevator means of a motor driven hoisting cable (not shown). The table H9 is provided with a forked sliding spool support I2] on which the spool to be loaded is placed. The stranding frame having been rotated to bring an empty cradle into loading position, the truck is moved on itstrackway until located by a floor stop (not showni which is adapted to position the truck with the axis of the spool to be loaded in substantially the same vertical plane with the axis of the cradle spindle. The elevator table is shown in its elevated position in full linesand in its lowermost position in dotted lines.

table 9 may be raised or lowered vertically by g .5 l

With the truck properly positioned, the elevator table carrying thefilled spool is raised to a height where it is in axial alignment with the cradle spindle, this being indicated by the adjustable stop gauge I23 carried by the elevator table adapted to engage the underside of the cradle and to effect automatic stoppage of the hoisting mechanism. The forked sliding spool support |2| is then moved, outwardly on the elevator table toward and through the open side of the cradle, placing the filled spool on the spider cage where it is clamped in position. The spool support I2! is then withdrawn, the table H9 lowered, another filled spool rolled on the table, and, after the strander has been rotated the proper distance to bring another cradle into loading position, the loading operation is repeated, and so on until all cradles of the strander frame have been loaded.

After the spool has been loaded, the wires are strung through their respective guides and apertures, the open sided cradle allowing the operator more open space at the front end of the cradle for handling the wire in such stringing than has heretofore been available.

While I have herein shown and described for the purposes of illustration one specific embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the form thereof hereindescribed and illustrated may be widely varied and modified, all without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:-

1. In a cable stranding machine, the combination with a pair of spaced cradle supporting mem bers rotatable about a common horizontal axis and forming a cradle-holding, stranding structure, of a series of cradles carried between said members and mounted each on trunnion supports in said members and adapted to travel in an orbital path about the axis of rotation of said structure, a spindle carrying member connecting the trunnion supports on each cradle, a fixed, rigid, spool-carrying spindle mounted in and extending from saidmember and having its opposfte end free and detached from said cradle and the latter presenting thereat an open, unobstructed space, a rotatable spool supporting structure mounted on and retained by said spindle, bearings between said structure and said .spindle permitting rotary movement of the former on the latter, a spool being adapted to fit over and to be installed on said structure, and means for holdng said cradles each against rotation about its individual axis while traveling in its orbital path during rotation. of the stranding structure and .with the spool-carrying spindle and supporting structure in a substantially horizontal position and in overhung relation to said spindle carrying member, whereby each of said cradles is supported to present the overhanging end of said spindle and supporting structure outwardly from between said cradle members when brought to a loading position in the course of rotation of said stranding structure and a spool may be installed thereon from the side of the stranding structure over the overhung end of said rotatable spool supporting structure.

2. In a cable stranding machine, a cradle-sup porting, stranding structure rotatable about an axis, a series of cradles mounted on said structure to turn relatively thereto about an axis parallel to but eccentrically positioned with relation to the axis of rotation of said structure, said cradles being adapted to travel in an orbital path during rotation of said spindle, a rigid, non-rotatable spool-carrying spindle supported at one end by said cradle and having its opposite end free and detached therefrom and extending in a di- 3. In a cable stranding machine, the combina tion with a revoluble cradle-supporting stranding structure adapted to rotate about a horizontal axis of a 'cradle' mounted on said structure to turn relatively thereto about an axis parallel to but eccentrically positioned with relation to the axis of rotation of said structure and adapted to travel in an orbital path during rotation of said structure, a spool-carrying spindle supported at one end by said cradle and having its opposite end free and detached therefrom and extending in a direction transverse to the axis of the cradle, the latter presenting thereat an open, unobstructed space, and means for holding said cradle against rotation about its individual axis when traveling in its orbital path during rotation of the stranding structure and with the spool-carrying spindle in a substantially horizontal position and in overhung relation to said cradle, whereby, when brought to a loading position in the 'course of rotation of said stranding structure, a spool may be installed thereon from the side of the stranding structure over the overhung end of said spindle.

4. In a cable stranding machine, the combination with a pair of spaced cradle supporting members rotatable about a common axis and forming a cradle holding structure, of a series of cradles carried between said members and mounted each on trunnion supports in said members to turn relatively thereto about an axis parallel to but eccentricallypositioned with relation to the axis of rotation of said structure, said cradles being adapted-to travel in an orbital path during rotation of said structure, a spindlecarrying member between the trunnion supports of each cradle, a'spool-carrying spindle mounted in and extending fromsaid member in a direction transverse to the axis of rotation of said cradle and having its opposite end free and detached from said cradle and the latter presenting thereat an-open, unobstructed space, whereby, when brought to a loading position in the course of rotation of said stranding structure, a spool may be installed through the open side of said cradle over the outwardly presented end of said spindle.

5. In a cable stranding machine, the combination with a pair of spaced cradle supporting members rotatable about a common axis and forming a cradle-supporting, stranding structure,

of a series of cradles carried between said mem-' bers mounted eachin said members to turn relativelythereto and adapted to travel in an orbital path about the axis of rotation .of.said-structure,-a rigid, non-rotatable spool-carrying spindle supported at one end by said cradle and having its opposite end free and detached therefrom and the latter presenting thereat an open, unobstructed space, and a rotatable spool supporting structure mounted on and retained by said spindle, a spool being adapted to fit over and to be installed on said structure, whereby, when brought to a loading position in the course of rotation of said stranding structure, a spool may be installed over the detached end of said spindle on said spool holding structure.

6. In a cable stranding machine, the combination with a pair of spaced cradle supporting members rotatable about a common axis and forming of rotation of said stranding structure, a spoolmay be installed over the detached end of said spindle.

'Z. In a cable stranding machine, the combination with a revoluble stranding structure, of

means carried by said structure for supporting at one endonlya rigid, non-rotatable spindle' for carrying a spool, said spindle extending from said supporting means and having its opposite end free and accessible, a rotatable spool holding structure mounted on and retained by said spindle on which said 'spool is adapted to fit and over which the spool may be installed, bearings between said holding structure and spindle permitting rotary movement of the former on the latter, said spindle thereby providing means for install! ing a spoolthereon laterally over the free end' of the spindle, and means for retaining the spool on said holding structure.

8. In a cable stranding machine having a pair of spaced cradle supporting members rotatable about a horizontal axis, a series of open sided cradles carried between said members adapted to turnrelatively thereto and to travel in an orbital path about the axis of rotation of said members, and a spool-carrying spindle supported at one end in each of said cradles and having its opposite end presented to'the open side of the cradle, the latter presenting thereat an open, unobstructed space, said cradles being so held that, when brought to a loading position in the course of rotation of the cradle supporting members, the open side of the cradle is presented outwardly from between said cradle supporting members.

9. A spool supporting cra e for a cable stranding machine, comprising e d trunnion supports, an open sided cradle fra of L-shaped cross section connecting s upports, a rigid, non-rotatable spindle secur ed at one end by one side of the frame extending therefrom and spaced-from the other side thereof and presenting its opposite end to the open side of the frame, and a rotatable spool-supportirigstructure mounted on and retained by said spindle adapted to receive and hold a spool when installed thereon through the open side of the frame.

10. A cable stranding machine having a spoolsupporting, open sided cradle, the latter having trunnion supports, a spindle supported at one end by said cradle and having the opposite and presented to the open side thereof, and means for holding said cradle with the spindle horizontal, said cradle having a side wall connecting said trunnion supports on which the spindle is sup-- ported and a bottom spindle.

11. In a cable stranding machine, the combiwall overhung by said nation with a revoluble stranding structure, of a ing cylindrical,barrel of a diameter relatively large'as compared with that of the spindle, an intermediate rotatable spool'holding cage comprising a sleeve membermounted to turn on the bearings about said spindle and having cylindrical spool carrying walls on which the cylindrical spool barrel is adapted to fit and other walls forming an abutment for one of the side walls of the spool, and means for retaining the spool on said holding cage.

12. In a cable stranding machine, the'combination with a revoluble stranding structure, of a series of rigid spool carrying spindles supported by said structure and adapted to travel .in an orbital path about the axis of rotation of said structure, each spindle being supported at one end by said structure and extending therefrom and having its opposite and free and accessible, a rotatable spool holding structure mounted on and retained by said spindle on which said spool is adapted to fit and over which the spool may be installed, bearings between said holding structure and spindle permitting rotary movement of the former on the latt r, said spindle thereby providing means for ins alling a spool thereon laterally over the free end of the spindle, spool clamping means carried by said rotatable structure during replacement of the spool comprising a slidable clamping member on the outer face of the spool holding structure and adapted to be moved radially into and out of overlapping relation to the side walls of the spool, and means for tightening or loosening said clamping member.

13. In a cable stranding machine, the combination with a revoluble stranding structure, of a series of rigid spool carrying spindles supported by said structure and adapted to travel in an orbital path about the axis of rotation of said structure, each spindle being supported at one end by said structure and extending therefrom and having its opposite end free and accessible, a rotatable spool holding structure mounted on and retained bysaid spindle on which said spool is adapted to fit and over which the spool may be installed, bearings between said holding structure and spindle permittingrotary movement of the former on the latter, said spindle thereby providing means for installing a spool thereon laterally over the free end of the spindle, and spool clamping means carried and retained by said rotatable structure during replacement of the spool, whereby the spool may be installed over the unsupported end of the structure and clamped thereon without removal of theclamping means.

14. In a cable stranding machine, the combination with a revoluble stranding structure, of a series of rigid spool carrying spindles supported by said structure and adapted to travel in an orbital path about the axis of rotation of said structure, each spindle being supported at one end by said structure and extending therefrom and having its opposite end free and accessible, a rotatable spool holding structure mounted on and retained by said spindle on which said spool is adapted to fit and over which the spool may be installed,- bearings between said holding structure and spindle permitting rotary movement of the former on the latter, said spindle thereby providing means for installing a spool thereon laterally over the free end of the spindle, strand tensioning means enclosed within said spool holding structure, and means for securing the spool on said holding structure.

1 ARTHUR R. PETI'ERSONI. 

